Uber has said it is “ready to go” now with driverless taxis in the UK – but the government has put back the date it expects to approve fully self-driving vehicles.

The previous administration said fully autonomous cars were “set to be on roads by 2026”, but the new government says it is now more likely to happen in the second half of 2027. While limited self-driving technology is already permitted on UK roads, a human driver must be at the wheel and responsible for the vehicle, even if automated technology is being used, says the BBC.

“We’re ready to launch robotaxis in the UK as soon as the regulatory environment is ready for us,” said Andrew Macdonald, senior vice president of mobility at Uber.

The ride-hailing firm is working with 18 automated car tech companies including Wayve, one of several companies which already offers robotaxis in the US. They are also on the roads in China, the UAE and Singapore.

But Mr Macdonald disagreed that the UK was behind the rest of the world, arguing that the US and China were ahead largely because that is where the majority of the tech had been developed.

“We are working quickly and will implement self-driving vehicle legislation in the second half of 2027”, the Department for Transport said in a statement.

“We are also exploring options for short-term trials and pilots to create the right conditions for a thriving self-driving sector,” it added.

Tom Leggett, vehicle technology manager at Thatcham Research said robotaxis would have to be “safety-led” in the UK.

“Secondly, they will have to make sure the data is available to those who need it – insurers and those investigating incidents when they occur.”

The government says self-driving vehicles have the potential “to build an industry worth £42bn and provide 38,000 jobs by 2035.”

(Pic: Wayve)